Gold and silver production have played a prominent role in the case. Investors were shown bars being manufactured, but authorities said the scheme collapsed and investors were not paid.

Some U.S-based Ponzi schemes, including autosurf Ponzi schemes, have members linked to movements involving the purported production of gold and silver or the desire to trade in gold in silver, as opposed to paper currency.

Meanwhile, Shanghai Daily is reporting that a citizen of China has been sentenced to death for perpetrating a Ponzi scheme. The story, which appears to be based on on a report that originated with a government-run news service, could not immediately be confirmed independently.

But the story suggests that China is prepared to put Ponzi promoters to death for grand-scale fleecings of the population. Fraud laws and punishments vary from country to country.

In July 2008, a U.S.-based autosurf known as Golden Panda Ad Builder launched. It was described as the so-called “Chinese” option for members of AdSurfDaily. Federal prosecutors in the United States seized the assets of both Golden Panda and ASD in August 2008.

ASD also had a “Spanish” option known as LaFuenteDinero, “the fountain of money.”

a) for those with some conscience to understand the serious consequences of their involvement when they recruit their downlines.

b) for the rest to get into their heads that not all countries outside the US turn a blind eye to ponzi schemes and their promoters

There is no longer any excuse for anyone to “innocently” promote any autosurf or other ponzi fraud. Since Bernie Maddoff “fesssed up” to running a ponzi, enough has been written about them to fill several libraries and the information is all over the internet for all to find easily. The US government has announced its intention to take stronger measures against this kind of crime. Owners and promoters are being jailed weekly, if not daily and China is using the death sentence. What more do they need to figure out that they are participating in a crime?

Quick note: Haven’t had time to do the story yet, but Richard Taft
Johnson of Orchard Lake, Mich., has just been convicted in a Ponzi scheme.

Here is what U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg said in part:

â€œThis was an insidious Ponzi scheme because investors were told it was a safe, secure investment that would ultimately help charities. Like most Ponzi schemes, it went undetected for a number of years, allowing some investors to reap a profit on their investments, and encouraging others to invest. It can be very disturbing for a victim to discover that he has innocently caused friends or relatives financial ruin. In the end, a number of the investors, some quite elderly, lost everything because their monies were used to keep the scheme going until the inevitable collapse.”